I have a Washington state Drivers License, and my car is registered in WA.
I’m currently stationed in California, and I was looking at buying a car.
California wants to charge an outrageous amount in taxes.
How do I buy a car?
Do I buy it in Oregon state, go to Washington to register it and come back to CA?
Do I buy it in CA and register it online for WA?
Do I buy it in WA and and drive back down to CA?
Another combination?
pls help Chief 😭😭
How do I buy a car in my situation?
byu/No-Landscape1438 inMilitaryFinance
Posted by No-Landscape1438
4 Comments
Also a Washington resident, active, stationed out of WA. I register in Washington to avoid emissions as one of my cars absolutely will not pass even though it’s a great little daily.
The biggest drawback is Washington can’t give you temp tags. California may be willing to give them to you though if you tell them why you need them. (It worked for me in Montana, but Utah told me no and I just had to wait for plates).
You can buy a car from wherever and register it in WA and not pay any sales tax (newish law) and not deal with emissions because you’re out of state. All info is on WA DMV site but give them a call and they will send you a email with every form you will have to fill out when you send in your title.
Feel free to PM me if you need more info.
If you buy a car in CA for use in CA, you’ll owe sales tax or use tax (those are the same amount) regardless of where you register the vehicle.
So if you want to avoid CA sales taxes, you’ll need to purchase and register the vehicle outside of CA.
Purchase in WA and drive it down. The drive is beautiful and you’ll get to really get a feel for your car. Make sure you do research and don’t rush into a purchase though.
If you buy it in Cali you are paying sales tax and for registration theyre not going to let you drive off without doing so
Id recommend you take some leave, fly to WA and buy your car then drive it back